I’m all about cinematic escapism, but nothing can quite compare to an unbridled inspirational story on the big screen.
The latter can be found in the documentary “Murph: The Protector.” In the Afghan mountains, in the midst of blazing gun fire and insurmountable odds, Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL, gave his life for the sake of his team. The film opens throughout the country this weekend.
I interviewed the Atlanta-based producer of the film, Joel Shapiro, and the article appeared in yesterday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
You can read below or see it online here:
ATLANTA BUSINESSMAN HELPS TELL HEROIC STORY ON FILM
By Jon Waterhouse
For the AJC
Atlanta-based businessman Joel Shapiro knows investment management. But the business of making movies?
He’d be the first to tell you he’s no Spielberg.
When a business associate asked him to watch a documentary about a heroic Navy SEAL and consider investing in the project, Shapiro laughed it off. Yet, after viewing the film and wiping away the tears, he knew he had his latest personal investment.
The film tells the story of Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL who sacrificed his safety and ultimately his life in 2005 for his team during a fierce gun battle in the Afghan mountains. He won the nation’s highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his actions.
Because of the efforts of Shapiro and his fellow producers, “Murph: The Protector” will open Friday 22 on 180 screens nationwide, and four in metro Atlanta.
But don’t expect Shapiro to go all Hollywood and pop out of a stretch limo, his eyes shrouded in shades, when attending the private red carpet screening Thursday at Regal Atlantic Station.
“It would be great to be a producer of a huge hit, but this is more than that,” Shapiro said. “This is about getting the right story told, and showing that there really are heroes left in the world.”
The screening benefits the Children of Fallen Patriots and the Navy Seal Foundation. When “Murph: The Protector” launches throughout the country, a portion of the proceeds from the film will go to the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.
Q.: The film touched you on an emotional level, which led you to helping fund the picture. How do you think the movie is going to touch the viewing audience?
A.: It’s a documentary, but I’ll tell you it’s for little kids, adults and everyone in between. It really is a story of an American hero, and it’s one you don’t hear that often, for somebody to sacrifice their life for the greater good. It’s just rare that you ever get to see an authentic hero. …People walk away and say, “Wow, what a great person, and what a great military we have, those people who serve our country, first responders.” It really does show the quality of people we have in our country. …If people walk out of there without tears in their eyes, I’ll be surprised.
Q.: Were you shocked at how the movie touched you?
A.: I really was. I came in there somewhat callous. I didn’t know what to think. Then I watched it, and my wife and I were crying. It’s one of those movies. You see what those guys really do for their country and all of us, and their stories really never get told. So I said, “This has to get out.” With that, I got involved.
Q.: The film will be showing exclusively at Regal Entertainment Group Theatres throughout the country? What’s next?
A.: We’re hoping it goes from Regal to a nationwide audience. We’d love to see kids watching it in schools as a history lesson.
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